Pillbug

ABSTRACT

The Pillbug″ is a transport and cooler container utility that carries cargo in an upright manner. There are three version shapes: a sphere, a sausage and drum, all operating on the same principle. All three versions will be referred to as “spheres.” The end-user can open them like a suitcase. The outer shell rolls along the ground while the inner shell rests inside the outer shell. There are ball bearings between the inner and outer shells. Two axles, at both axes, connect the inner and outer shells. The inner shell has a weighted bottom that causes it to stay upright as it is rolling. A seal at the equator makes it watertight. An external horseshoe-shaped harness connects both axis of the Pillbug sphere. A telescoping handle connects to the harness apex so the user can pull it.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

APPLICATION NUMBER OR INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION NUMBER AND INTERNATIONALFILING DATE

None

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a container which can be transported easily by aperson. The container rolls along the ground by means of someone pullinga telescoping handle. The contents always remain upright because thereis an outer container, known as an “outer shell” moving around an innercontainer, known as an “inner shell.” The outer concentric containercircumnavigates around the inner concentric container, which remainsupright.

This invention is a transport and container utility which is shaped likea sphere in one version, shaped like a drum in another version and ahybrid shape that looks like a fat sausage. The container carries cargoon the inside of the apparatus while the cargo remains level to theground. The external container rolls along the ground as it is pulled bya handle attached to the axis of the container. The Pillbug could beshaped like anything that can roll smoothly, a sphere, a drum, or evenlike a fat sausage. Henceforth, the word “Pillbug” will include theshape of a sphere, a drum and a sausage. In all three versions, theouter concentric container, that is comprised of the top and bottomhalves, rolls along the ground will be referred to as the “outer shell.”The inside, stationary and level, container will be known and referredto as the “inner shell.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention, called “the Pillbug” is a transportable containerutility which is shaped like a sphere or drum or fat sausage thatcarries cargo on the inside of the apparatus while the cargo remainsupright within the inner shell and the outside rolls along the ground asit is being pulled by a telescoping handle. The word “Pillbug”collectively refers to the sphere, drum and sausage shape versions. Thecontents always remain upright because there is an outer shell containermoving around an inner shell container. The cargo weight plus theweighted bottom directs the inner sphere to stay stationary. The outershell container circumnavigates around the inner shell container. Theouter container rolls along the ground and the inner shell containerwhich does not spin, stays upright and stationary. The inner shellcontainer remains stationary and does not roll, thus enabling the cargoto stay upright and avoid being jostled and tumbled within thecontainer. The Pillbug is designed to ease the transport of heavy ordelicate loads which cannot afford to be tussled around. The Pillbug canbe used to easily take supplies on picnics, construction sites, andmilitary operations.

Traditional methods of moving goods from point A to point B haveconsisted of dragging them behind pack animals or humans, carrying themon one's head or in a back-pack, shipping by boat, flying by airplane orplacing them on wheels in trucks or trains. Each method has advantagesand disadvantages depending on the distance to be covered, the terrainto be navigated, and the weight and bulk of the items to be transported.

Most terrains have already had appropriate methods invented to transportgoods over them. The most obvious one is the invention of boats totransport goods over water. The other is the invention of wheels totransport goods over a reasonably flat or inclined surface on trucks ortrains.

Therein lies the problem that the Pillbug seeks to overcome: the use ofwheels require a pre-made flat surface or some kind of track. It isneither cost-effective nor desirable to construct flat pathways or railsover a major share of the earth's surface. No one would want to havepaved paths on most mountain trails or construct concrete paths on mostof the world's beaches so that people could tote their picnic suppliesin wheeled coolers over these areas. It would seriously despoil theenvironment and the cost would be prohibitive.

Another serious problem with traditional picnic cooler containers ariseswhen people attempt to transport picnic container coolers over beachsand. Although most coolers now have wheels, the wheels are too narrowfor the terrain and the weight of the cooler sinks the wheels into thesand. As a consequence, the cooler either has to be dragged over thesand or picked up and carried. If it is carried, it puts a great strainon the back of the person carrying it. Often, lifting and carrying heavycoolers requires two persons.

A similar problem happens on construction sites where the terrain isuneven. There are ditches, holes, mounds of dirt, and piles of debris tonavigate. Cargo currently has to be moved by means doilies which requireplanks to be laid across construction site grounds.

A major transportation problem also occurs in warfare and militaryapplications. Soldiers are burdened by heavy backpacks. They need moresupplies than they can carry in those packs. They also need to navigateover rough terrain where motorized vehicles cannot travel with thesupplies the soldiers need. Also, in military applications, it wouldbenefit the soldiers if the same transportation device which can haulgoods over rough terrain could also haul them over water.

Clearly, then, there is a need for a transportation device which canhaul goods over unpaved, irregular, soft, muddy, sandy, rough terrain,plus bodies of water. Such a device would allow people to take moregoods than they can carry on their backs. Such a device would solve theproblem of other devices which have wheels, but where the wheels sinkinto the terrain. Such a device would also be able to float on waterwhen water is encountered.

Further, such a device would be able to be manufactured from plastics,composites or metals if heavy-duty use is required. The Pillbuginvention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sphere, drum or sausage shaped shell thatrevolves around another concentric sphere, drum or sausage shaped shellwhile the concentric inner shell remains stationary. Goods can betransported without damage or breakage. The Pillbug moves goods from oneplace to another while the goods inside of it stay upright. There aretwo spheres in one version, two drums in another version and two sausageshapes in the third version. The Pillbug Sphere version has an outerconcentric sphere shell, which rolls along the ground and the othersphere shell or half-sphere rests inside the outer sphere shell. ThePillbug Drum version has a concentric outer drum shell, which rollsalong the ground and the inner concentric drum shell or half-drum restsinside the outer drum. The Pillbug Fat Sausage version has a concentricouter sausage shape, which rolls along the ground and the innerconcentric sausage shape or half-sausage rests inside the outer sausageshape. All three versions will be collectively referred to as the“Pillbug.”

In all three versions, the outer Pillbug concentric shell has ballbearings inside of it on which the inner concentric Pillbug shell canglide. The inner shell has a weighted bottom which causes it to alwaysstay upright. The cargo also serves as a weight which helps keep theinner concentric shell level and stationary.

A telescoping double tow-bar, like that used on luggage, is attached tothe two poles of the axle protruding from the Pillbug. The tow-bar canbe pulled, like one pulls luggage, or it can be attached to the back ofa belt, on a clip, going around the user's waist. An extremely largeversion can be attached to a vehicle using a trailer hitch.

In comparison to a typical ice-chest cooler, which usually has wheels,the wheels on an ice-chest sink in the sand or earth and the user justends up literally dragging it. Wheels have no useful function whentraveling over sand. They give the consumer an illusion offunctionality. The wheels work fine on pavement or compacted earth, butfail the user's expectations when being pulled over soft earth, such assand.

The Pillbug does not become mired in most terrain because, instead ofdepending on wheels for its locomotion, it is shaped like a sphere ordrum or fat sausage and, thus, the weight is not forcing it down intothe terrain as wheels would be impaled into soft ground due to theweight being focused into the wheels.

The Pillbug has a water-tight rubber seal at the equator of the outershell which would allow it to be towed over water as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration showing the Pillbug sphericalapparatus for hauling goods from one point to another. This Pillbug hastwo concentric spheres or shells. One is the outer shell sphere, whichrolls along the ground. The inner shell sphere or partial sphere, holdsthe cargo in a level stationary position. The inner shell is referred toas a “partial” or “full” sphere because it does not necessarily have befully enclosed. It can look like a round flower vase with an open top.The bottom of the inner shell sphere is flat so that cargo can sit init. The Pillbug is towed much like luggage is pulled by a double towbar. The double tow bar has a grip handle. It also has a loop clip whichallows it to be clipped to a loop clip on the back end of a belt worn bythe user so that it can be pulled while leaving the user's hands free.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of all three versions: the sphere, drum, andsausage. It depicts a cut-away view of the Pillbug. All versions havethis cut-away view in common. The Pillbug has two concentric shells inevery version. The top of the illustration shows the top of the outerconcentric shell, which rolls along the ground, when it is joined withthe bottom half, and it shows the other hemi-shell which rests insidethe outer shell. The inner shell or partial shell is suspended by theaxle and/or by inner facing ball bearings.

FIG. 3 is an angled top plan view of the Pillbug when the top half isopened, thus allowing the viewer to see the inside of the device. ThePillbug has two shells. One is the outer shell, which rolls along theground and the other shell rests inside the outer shell. The inner shellor partial shell is suspended by the axle and or glides over inwardfacing bearings.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the Pillbug-drum version. This version isidentical in concept to the spherical version except that it is in theshape of a drum. It has two shell drums which operate on the sameprinciple as the sphere. One is the outer concentric shell drum, whichrolls along the ground and the other concentric shell drum which restsinside the outer shell drum. They are held in place by the axle and/orby ball bearings.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the Pillbug-drum version as it lays openwith the top shell lying to the left. The inner partial drum shell,which actually holds the goods, can be seen on the bottom.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration showing the Pillbug drum apparatusfor hauling goods from one point to another. The Pillbug-drum has twoconcentric drum shells. One is the outer concentric drum shell, whichrolls along the ground. The inner concentric shell drum or partial shelldrum, holds the cargo in a stationary position. The Pillbug drum istowed much like luggage is pulled by a double tow bar. The tow bar has ahandle. It also has a loop clip which allows it to be clipped to a loopclip on the back of a belt worn by the user so that it can be pulledwhile leaving the user's hands free.

FIG. 7 shows the Pillbug in the open position. It shows some cargorepresented by soft drinks and grapes so that the viewer can readily seewhere and how the cargo is contained.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the Pillbug sausage-shape version. Thisversion is identical in concept to the spherical and drum versionsexcept that it is in the shape of a fat sausage. It has two concentricshells which operate on the same principle as the sphere. One is theouter concentric shell, which rolls along the ground and the innerconcentric shell which rests inside the outer shell. They are held inplace by the axle and/or by inward facing ball bearings.

FIG. 9. Black and White Photograph of the Pillbug Sphere, mini workingmodel, being towed. This photo was included solely for visualclarification purposes so that the Patent Examiner can have an easiertime visualizing the device.

FIG. 10. Black and White Photograph of the Pillbug Sphere, mini workingmodel, in open position with sample cargo sitting in container portion.This photo was included solely for visual clarification purposes so thatthe Patent Examiner can have an easier time visualizing the device.

NUMBERED PARTS CITED IN FIGURES

Part 1A is the top half of the Pillbug Shell for all versions.

Part 1B is the bottom half of the Pillbug Shell for all versions.

Part 2 represents all the inward facing ball bearings attached to theinside of the outer shell comprised of 1A & 1B.

Part 3 is the inner shell of all three versions.

Part 4 is the axel located closest to the release hatch 6.

Part 5 is the water tight seal located at the equator of all threePillbug versions.

Part 6 is the release latch joining the top shell 1A and bottom shell 1Bin all three versions 10, 17, & 19.

Part 7 is the axel located closest to the hinge connecting the top shell1A and bottom shell 1B in all three versions.

Part 8 refers to the axel ball bearings located at both polar axis 4 &7. The bearings reduce friction and drag on the polar axles 4 & 7.

Part 9 is the axel cap which holds the axel in place in all threeversions 10,17, & 19.

Part 10 is the Pillbug Sphere version.

Part 11 is the harness which connects to the axles 4 & 7 of the Pillbugin all three versions 10, 17, & 19.

Part 12 is the telescoping handle which connects to the harness in allthree versions 10, 17, & 19. The harness then connects to the Pillbug inall three versions 10, 17, & 19.

Part 13 is the handle grip that the end-user grasps when pulling thePillbug. The handle grip connects to the top of the telescoping handle12.

Part 14 is a clip loop which is at the top of the grip 13 so it canconnect to a clip loop 15 worn at the back of a belt worn by the user sothe user's hands can be freed from pulling it.

Part 15 is a clip loop at the back of a belt 16 worn by the user thatcan connect to the clip loop on the Pillbug's grip 13 so the user'shands can be freed from pulling it.

Part 16 is the belt which has a clip loop 15 at the back end so that theuser's hands can be free for other purposes.

Part 17 is the Pillbug Drum version.

Part 18 shows cargo 18 held into the Pillbug. The cargo is representedby two beverage containers and some grapes.

Part 19 is the Pillbug Sausage Shaped version.

Part 20 is the flat floor of the inner shell. This gives cargo a flatarea on which to sit in the inner shell sphere 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the Pillbug-sphere apparatus 10 which is used fortransporting goods from one location to another. The figure includes amodel who is shown pulling the apparatus by a telescoping doubletow-bar, like that used on luggage, 12 at a beach. A horseshoe-shapedharness 11 connects both polar axes of the Pillbug 10 and connects tothe telescoping tow-bar 12 at the apex. The model's hand can grasp thetow-bar handle 13. It is towed in much the same way as someone would towluggage that has a telescoping handle. In this case, the person's handcan be freed from pulling the Pillbug 10 by snapping a clip loop 14,which is on top of the handle 13 and connecting it to a clip loop 15 onthe back of the person's belt 16.

FIG. 6 shows the Pillbug drum apparatus 17, which functions identicallyas the Pillbug sphere, except for the difference in shape. FIG. 6 showsthe Pillbug-drum apparatus 17 which is used for transporting cargo fromone location to another. The figure includes a model who is shownpulling the apparatus by a telescoping double tow-bar 12 at the beach. Ahorseshoe-shaped harness 11 connects both axes of the Pillbug 10 andconnects to the telescoping tow-bar, like that used on luggage, 12 atthe apex. The model's hand can grasp the tow-bar handle 13. It is towedin much the same way as someone would tow luggage that has a telescopinghandle. In this case, the person's hand can be freed from pulling thePillbug 10 by snapping a spring-loaded clip 14, which is on top of thehandle 13 and connecting it to a clip loop 15 on the back of theperson's adjustable belt 16.

The telescoping tow-bar 12 and handle 13 are the same type as found onstandard luggage, which can be extended for towing or contracted foreasy storage. It is made of a metal material for durability and toendure the stress of pulling a heavy payload. The tow-bar snaps onto thehorseshoe shaped harness 11 at the apex. The reason for this design isso that the whole apparatus can be easily disassembled and compacted andstored in a trunk of a standard sedan or on the back seat. The apparatuscan be carried by the harness 11 alone if the user desires to do so.This might be done while lifting it from the trunk of a car and movingit to the ground. The user would have the option of leaving the tow-bar12 snapped to the harness 11 or unsnapping it.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the Pillbug sphere 10 and Pillbug drum 17and Pillbug Sausage 19. The shell has a bottom hemi-shell 1A and a tophemi-shell 1B. The two hemi-shells snap together slightly above theequator 5. A rubber seal 5 ensures that the apparatus would be watertight and float. Both concentric hemi-shells have ball bearings 2 on theinside facing the center. The ball bearings 2 allow the inner shell 3 toglide over them as the concentric outer shell (comprised of 1A and 1Bsnapped together) spins around it.

FIG. 2 is also a cut-away view of the Pillbug for all three versions 10,17, & 19. The inner concentric half-shell 3 acts as the container whichactually holds the goods 18 that the end-user transports. The concentricinner half-shell 3 has a flat bottom 20 to accommodate the goods 18 andhelp them to remain upright by having a flat floor while beingtransported FIG. 7.

Two features help reduce frictional drag so that the concentric innershell 3 remains stationary: the polar ball bearings 8 and the axles 4 &7. The concentric inner facing ball bearings 2 are located inmulti-locations on the inside of the outer shell 1A & 1B facing thecenter. The concentric inner half-shell 3 is suspended by two axles 4 &7 which are placed at both sides of the equator of the apparatus. Inorder to make sure that the outer two half-shells stay together and donot open while being rolled, two latches 6 secure them together. Thelatches are wide enough for a set of average-sized human fingers toreach under them and lift them up. The two axles 4& 7 at the polar capshave ball bearings 8 to reduce drag and friction on the axles.

FIG. 3 shows the Pillbug sphere version in the open position. It is openin much the same way that a set of luggage would be shown in the openposition. The concentric top hemi-shell 1A is shown at the top of thepage. The bottom concentric hemi-shell 1B is shown at the bottom of thepage. The two axise 4 & 7 can be seen in the tiny spaces separating thetwo shells. The two latches 6 which open the Pillbug are located at thesame places where the axles 4 & 7 are located. The inward facing ballbearings 2 can be seen mounted on the inside of the outer shell 1A & 1Bfacing the center. The concentric inner shell 3 rests inside theconcentric bottom outer shell 1B. The inner shell 3 has a flat floor 20so that cargo can rest upright on that floor. The axle cap 9 is shown onthe inside of the bottom inner shell. The axle does not extend all theway through the device in order to maximize optimum room for the goodsto be transported. That is why there are two axles 4 & 7 at both endsinstead of one long continuous axle that goes from pole to pole. Theplace where the two hemi-shells meet 5 has a rubber seal 5 so that thePillbug is water-tight.

FIG. 4 shows the Pillbug drum in the closed position. The concentric tophemi-shell 1A is shown at the top half of the page. The concentricbottom hemi-shell 1B is shown at the bottom half of the page.

FIG. 5 shows the Pillbug drum in the open position. It is open in muchthe same way that a set of luggage would be shown in the open position.The top hemisphere 1A is shown at the top of the page. The bottomhemi-shell 1B is shown towards the bottom of the page. The two axles 7can be seen in the tiny space separating the two spheres. The latch 6 toopen the Pillbug drum is located at the same place where the axles 4 & 7are located. The ball bearings 2 can be seen mounted on the inside ofthe outer shell facing the center. The concentric inner shell 3 restsinside the bottom outer shell 1B. The axle cap 9 is shown on the insideof the bottom inner sphere. The axle does not extend all the way throughthe Pillbug to maximize optimum room for the goods to be transported.That is why there are axles 4 & 7 at both ends. The place where the twohemi-shell meet 5 has a rubber seal 5 so that the Pillbug drum iswater-tight.

FIG. 7 shows two beverages and a bunch of grapes 18 inside the openPillbug 10. It is shown open like a luggage set. The top half of theshell 1A is at the top of the page and the bottom half of the shell 1Bis at the bottom half of the page.

The Pillbug invention, consisting of the sphere version, the drumversion, and the sausage shape version, is a novel method for movinggoods from point A to point B. Traditional methods of hauling goods haveconsisted of dragging them behind animals or humans, carrying them onone's head or in a back-pack, half-tracks, shipping by boat, flying byairplane or placing them on wheels in trucks or trains. Each method hasadvantages and disadvantages depending on the distance to be covered,the terrain to be navigated, and the weight and bulk of the items to betransported.

Most terrains have already had appropriate methods invented to transportgoods over them. The most obvious one is the invention of boats totransport goods over water. The other is the invention of wheels totransport goods over a reasonably flat surface on trucks or trains.

The Pillbug is unique because, instead of having wheels, it functions asthe wheel itself. In the grand scope of the invention, it can be usedfor recreation, military, and construction purposes. Its chief featureis its shape which makes it resistant to sinking into soft terrain suchas sand, mud or water.

1. This invention, called “the Pillbug,” is a transport and containerutility which is shaped like a sphere in one version, shaped like a fatsausage in another version, and shaped like a drum in another versionthat carries cargo on the inside of the apparatus while the cargoremains upright and level and the outside rolls along the ground as itis being pulled by a handle like a piece of luggage. This invention is acontainer which can be transported easily by a person. The containerrolls along the ground by means of someone pulling a telescoping handle.The contents always remain upright because there is an outer container,known as an “outer shell” moving around an inner container, known as an“inner shell.” The outer concentric container circumnavigates around theinner concentric container, which remains upright. This invention is atransport and container utility which is shaped like a sphere in oneversion, shaped like a drum in another version and a hybrid shape thatlooks like a fat sausage. The container carries cargo on the inside ofthe apparatus while the cargo remains level to the ground. The externalcontainer rolls along the ground as it is pulled by a handle attached tothe axis of the container. The Pillbug can be shaped like anything thatcan roll smoothly, a sphere, a drum, or even like a fat sausage. Thedefinition of the word “Pillbug” includes the shape of a sphere, a drumand a sausage. In all three versions, the outer concentric container,that is comprised of the top and bottom halves, rolls along the groundand is referred to as the “outer shell.” The inside, stationary andlevel, container is known and referred to as the “inner shell.”